Houston Dynamo fall to Colorado Rapids 3-2 in preseason scrimmage

Cascio and Barnes score for Houston in back-and-forth scrimmage

February 2, 2014

Houston Dynamo Communications

The Houston Dynamo fell to the Colorado Rapids, 3-2, in a preseason scrimmage on Sunday morning at Methodist Champions Field at Houston Sports Park. Tony Cascio and Giles Barnes scored goals for the Dynamo, who will travel to Tucson, Ariz. on Tuesday to continue preseason.

With the game tied 2-2 in the 86th minute, the Rapids won the ball at midfield and broke down the field. At the edge of the penalty area Charles Eloundou slid a pass to Gabriel Torres, who found the top corner of the net for the winning goal.

Colorado opened the scoring in the 12th minute. A combination between Dillon Serna and Chris Klute led to an opening inside the box, and Serna hit the far corner from 12 yards for a 1-0 lead.

Houston responded three minutes later as Cascio – on loan to the Dynamo from the Rapids – collected the ball on the left flank and took an opportunistic shot from 25 yards that deflected off Rapids defender Drew Moor and into the net, tying the game 1-1.

The Dynamo took a 2-1 lead in the 38th minute when trialist Sito Seoane slotted a through ball to Barnes, who muscled off Colorado defender Tolani Ibikunle before breaking alone on goal and beating Rapids goalkeeper Joe Nasco with a calm finish.

Before Torres’ game-winning goal, Dynamo goalkeeper Tyler Deric made an important save to keep the game tied. Eloundou created space inside the penalty area and fired a shot from 15 yards that Deric tipped off the crossbar.

Houston’s chances included a pinpoint cross from Brian Ownby, who found Omar Cummings inside the penalty area, but he was thwarted by a pair of Colorado defenders after settling the ball.

Earlier, Cascio played a curling pass behind the Rapids defense intended for Will Bruin, but Nasco came off his line to prevent a chance for Bruin.

Then, Boniek Garcia dribbled past his marker inside the box and drove a low shot toward the near post from ten yards that required a diving save from Nasco.

The Dynamo travel to Tucson, Ariz. on Tuesday for three preseason scrimmages against MLS clubs. Houston’s first scrimmage is Wednesday at 6 p.m. CT, when it faces the Portland Timbers at Kino Sports Complex. The match will be streamed live at www.MLSsoccer.com.